Freight derailment at Audenshaw

RAIB report takeaway

At about 11:25 on 6 September 2024, a freight derailed as it crossed a bridge that takes the railway over a public footpath in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester. The derailment involved nine of the train’s 24 fully loaded wagons and led to extensive damage to the track, the bridge and some of the wagons. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but the railway was closed for around eight weeks while repairs were made. RAIB reported that the derailment occurred because of a loss of gauge between the rails. This caused the wagons’ wheels on the right-hand side to drop from the rail into this widening space. The spread of gauge was caused by the failure of a number of the screws securing the baseplates to the longitudinal wooden bearers on the track. Later examinations showed that these screws had sustained fatigue damage before the train passed by. Records of inspection and maintenance activities confirmed that there had been at least three previous failures, with one occasion known to have been before 2020, although many of the required records were not available.RAIB also found that the failing screws had not been detected by Network Rail’s inspection regime. This was because both the automated and manual inspection systems were not capable of detecting this type of failure reliably. In addition, RAIB found that the track team in the maintenance unit responsible for the track over the bridge had neither recorded, nor reported, previous screw failures. Additionally, this oversight had not been identified nor corrected by Network Rail’s assurance regime over a period of years.As a result of the accident, Network Rail made changes to improve how inspection and maintenance work is recorded. It is also conducting modelling work to determine the best design for the baseplate assembly. RAIB also recommended a number of measures, including a review of standards relating to the design of components of this type. Network Rail is also urged to research the effects of the condition of supporting structures on the behaviour of longitudinal bearer systems to better understand and pre-empt future degradation. It should also review the accuracy and completeness of its asset records, making any improvements where needed.Read the report _{Article image and magazine cover image supplied by RAIB.}